Dispenser for disposable aerosol container, with valved conduit for remote dischargeof its contents



Feb. 21, 1967 BERES ETAL 3,305,144

DISPENSER FOR DISPOSABLE AEROSOL CONTAINER, WITH VALVED CONDUIT FOR REMOTE DISCHARGE OF ITS CONTENTS Filed March 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,Z QZII I INVENTORS Si even W. Bares Feb. 21, 1967 s. w BERES ETAL DISPENSER FOR DISPOSABLE AEROSOL CONTAINER W VALVED CONDUIT FOR REMOTE DISCHARGE OF ITS CONTENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 23 Filed March 1, 1965 1NVENTOR5 Ste yen W. Bares BL ham R. O Do n HGE'NT United States Patent DISPENSER FOR DISPOSABLE AEROSOL CON- TAINER, WITH VALVED CONDUIT FOR RE- MOTE DISCHARGE OF ITS CONTENTS Steven W. Beres, Trumbull, and William R. ODonnell, Fairfield, Conn., assignors to Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 435,965

8 Claims. (Cl. 222402.13)

This invention relates to disposable aerosol dispensers, and more particularly to dispensers of this kind having pressurized containers and manually operable valves for controlling the discharge of the aerosol substance.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved inexpensive and disposable aerosol dispenser wherein the discharge may be effected at points remote from the pressurized container, and wherein different areas may be readily sprayed without holding or moving the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a dispenser as above set forth, an improved manually operable valve and orifice device of extremely simple construction, which utilizes a minimum number of parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a dispenser as characterized, a simple and improved operable control and adapter for the valve mechanism of the pressurized container or can.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an aerosol dispenser as above outlined, which is especially effective and reliable in its operation, which is easy and convenient to use, and which has a small size, being characterized by a desirable compactness.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components. throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of the improved aerosol dispenser, the pressurized container and its valve control device being shown in side elevation. The extension discharge tube and the manually operable valve and orifice device are shown in axial section, in the nondischarging condition.

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the valve and orifice device of FIG. 1, showing the positions of the parts for the discharging condition.

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the valve stem actuator and control provided by the invention, mounted on a pressurized container, the parts being in the positions necessary to effect a discharge of the contents of the container.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the actuator and control of FIG. 3 but showing the parts in the positions occupied when the valve stem is not depressed and not discharging.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of a valve stem actuator or control means, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view of a valve stem control means constituting yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view of a valve stem control device as provided by. the invention and illustrating still another embodiment thereof.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base member of the valve control device of FIG. 7.

Considering first FIG. 1, there is shown an inexpensive disposable-type gas pressurized container 1-0 having at its mouth -a usual type of top closure or wall 12 mounting a hollow, axially movable and depressible valve stem 14 and an actuator mounting collar or shoulder 16.

Attached to the pressurized container by engagement with the annular shoulder 16 there is, as provided by the invention, an improved, simple adapter 18 having a connector part 60 which is press-fitted on the discharge or outer end of the valve stem 14, said adaptor including an operable control by which the depressible valve stem 14 may be shifted from the raised, non-discharging position to a depressed, discharging position. The connector part 60 connects with an extension tube or discharge line 20 of flexible or resilient plastic such as polyethylene, said tube having a relatively small external diameter which may advantageously be slightly less than A; of an inch. One end portion 22 of the tube 20 is connected to the adapter part 60, and the other end portion 24 is connected with a pressure shut-off discharge valve and orifice assemblage designated generally by the numeral 26.

It will be understood that with the above organization the user can apply the aerosol spray to various different locations in a most convenient manner, without requiring lifting or movement of the pressurized container 10. This is of considerable advantage if, for instance, the pressurized contents of the container 10 comprises a laundry starch, whereby the user applies the starch in a spray form to a garment prior to ironing the same. With the illustrated construction the pressurized container 10 may be placed at a convenient spot adjacent or on the ironing board, and need not be moved or lifted when the contents are to be dispensed and put to use. Moreover, with the present arrangement the container 10 can remain perfectly upright at all times whereby maximum utilization of the liquid contents is had, with little likelihood of leakage or bleeding of the pressurized gas only.

The manually operable valve and orifice assembly as provided by the invention is of extreme simplicity, involving relatively few parts yet is particularly effective and reliable in its operation.

The actual valving is done by forming a kink in the end portion 24 of the resilient plastic tube 20. If a tight kink is formed, the flow of aerosol substance is effectively shut off, whereas if a more open kink exists in the tube it will permit the passage of the aerosol substance. As seen in FIG. 1, a relatively tight kink or bend 28 exists in the tube portion 24, thereby shutting off the flow of aerosol sub stances from an orifice member 30. In FIG. 2, the nozzle unit 26 reveals a more open bend in the tube 24 whereby a flow of the aerosol substance is permitted through the tube and out of the discharge orifice 30.

The nozzle unit 26 comprises an orifice member 32 which includes the orifice 39, said member having an axial, centrally disposed discharge passage 34 communicating with the orifice 30 and also with the extremity 36 of the flexible plastic tube 20, such extremity being held in a lateral opening or socket 38. The orifice member 32 also has a longitudinal slot 44) through which the bent back end portion 24 of the tube 20 extends. The slot 49 provides clearance whereby the portion 24 may be shifted between the positions of FIGS. 1 and 2 to respectively shut off the flow or permit the flow through the plastic tube 20, as by making the kinks 28 either tighter or more open.

To enable this to be readily done, the invention provides manually operable means in the form of a tubular member 42 surrounding the orifice member 32, the latter constituting in effect a plunger which is movable in the member 42 between the limits shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tubular member 42 has a side opening 44 through which the flexible tube 24 extends and which confines the flexible tube to effect the operating movement thereof.

The tubular member 42 has .at one end an annular outwardly extending flange 46, and the orifice member has a head or button shape 48 at the end adjacent the flange 46, said button shape and flange constituting a finger grip for the nozzle unit. A helical compression spring 50 is disposed in the opposite end of the member 42, engaging shoulders 52 and 54 respectively on the tubular member and orifice member, thereby to maintain the latter normally in a projected position as seen in FIG. 1.

It will now be understood that with the parts in the FIG. 1 position no flow is possible through the plastic tube 20 and out of the orifice 30. However, when the plunger member 32- is depressed as indicated in FIG. 2-, the resultant partial unbending of the plastic hose portion 24 will permit a flow of aerosol substance through the hose or tube, this being indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 2 which show a spray.

By the present invention an especially simple and easyto-operate control adapter comprising the unit 18 is provided, to cooperate with the nozzle unit 26 and container 10 for the purposes specified. The adapter 18 comprises, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a base member 58 in which the tubular connector fitting 60 is movably mounted. The fitting 60 has a socket 62 which snugly receives the protruding or outer discharge end of the depressi'ble hollow valve stem 14 of the dispenser.

The base 58 has depending claws 64 provided with hooks 66 which engage the underside of the annular mounting shoulder 16. The base 58 also has a depending hollow boss or hearing portion 68 in which the tubular fitting 60 vertically slides. The end portion 22 of the flexible tube is press-fitted in the upper part of the fitting 60 as shown, and with such construction communication is established between the bore of the valve stem 14 and the bore of the flexible tube. When the valve stem 14 is depressed, aerosol substance will pass through the tube 20, 22, provided that the nozzle unit 26 is in discharging condition. The base member 58 provides a guide for the fitting 60 and also constitutes a mounting by which the fitting is retained on the container 10-.

In order to retain the fitting 60 on the valve stem 14 in the depressed, discharging position, or to easily release the same for shutting off the flow, there is provided an operator shown as a latch member 70 in the form of a lever, having a depending pivot portion 72 with a hook 74 disposed at an aperture 76 in the base member to constitute a pivot means. The latch member 70 also has a depending finger '78 provided with a barb 80* which is receivable in a recess 82 of the base member, to eflect latching engagement therewith. As seen in FIG. 3 the member 70 is latched and the valve stem 14 is depressed, enabling a discharge of the aerosol substance to take place, FIG. 4 shows the parts wherein the latch momlaer 70 is released and the valve stem 14 is in its raised position, preventing passage of the aerosol substance. Latching of the member is effected by finger pressure in a downward direction as indicated in FIG. 3, whereas unlatching may be elfected by applying upward and outward pressure to a tab 84 to disengage the barb 80 from the recess 82. The latch member 70' is resilient or slightly yieldable to enable it to function properly as described above.

FIG. shows another embodiment of the invention, wherein a base 58a, adapted for mounting on the annular shoulder 16 of the container 10, has a threaded central opening 86 in which a screw 88 is threaded. The screw 88 has a stepped bore receiving the portion 22a of a flexible discharge tube. The extremity 90 of the tube 22a is of enlarged diameter. The enlargement 90 constitutes a socket, so to speak, in the screw 88. With such construction turning down, the screw 88 will effect a depressing movement of the valve stem 14, causing a discharge to occur. When it is desired to cut off the flow, the screw 88 is merely raised by turning it in the opposite direction.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein a threaded base member 58b carries a tube 88b provided with a socket 9% receiving the upper extremity of the valve stem 14. The discharge tube 22b is frictionally held in the upper portion of the screw 88b, preferably by forcing the end portion of the tube into an annular groove 92 in the :bore of the screw. Turning the screw 88]) downward or clockwise as viewed from above will depress the valve stem 14, and vice versa.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Here, the base member 58c has an opening 96 provided with notches 98 and accommodating a tubular fitting 100 having prongs 102 adapted to pass through the notches 98. At the underside of the base member 58c recesses 104 are provided, to receive the prongs 102 of the fitting for locking the same against turning when the fitting is in the discharging position. A socket 900 in the fitting accommodates the valve stem 14, and the upper portion of the fitting has pressfitted in it the end 220 of the plastic discharge tube.

FIG. 7 shows the discharging position of the parts, with the pron-gs 1'02 locked in the recesses 10-4. When it is desired to shut olT the flow, the fitting member 100 is pressed downward slightly and turned through an angle of 90. The prongs 102 may then pass upwardly through the notches 98, enabling the valve stern 14 to return to the raised, nondischarging position.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that we have provided an improved and advantageous aerosol dispenser wherein the spray may be discharged at various areas removed from the pressurized container, without requiring lifting or moving of the latter. A simplified nozzle and orifice unit is provided, as well as a simplified adapter and valve control unit in conjunction with the flexible plastic discharge hose. Relatively few parts are required, and the construction may be economically fabricated. Moreover, the operation is easy and effective, and the device is reli-a ble in use.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

We claim:

1. A disposable gas-pressure type liquid aerosol dis penser comprising, in combination:

(a) a disposable pressurized container having, carried in its mouth, a hollow axially movable and depressible valve stem through which the aerosol substance is discharged, said valve stem having an outer, discharge end,

(b) a flexible, elongate tubular discharge line,

-(c) an attachable adapter including a press-fit connector for attaching one end of said tubular line to the discharge end of the valve stem to receive the liquid aerosol substance therefrom,

(d) said adapter including a manually operable and releasable operator means acting on said connector, for depressing said connector and consequently said valve stem and for releasably maintaining the same depressed without requiring constant manual force, and

(e) a manually operable pressure shut-off valve device attached to the other end of the discharge line and having a discharge orifice, by which aerosol substance in the discharge line under pressure may be dispensed when the valve stem of the container is maintained in depressed position.

2. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the releasable operator means comprises a screw device connected with the container, said screw device including a screw adapted to be manually operated.

3. A dispenser as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said operator screw is hollow and said discharge line passes through the screw.

4. A dispenser as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said operator screw constitutes the adapter for attaching the discharge line to the valve stem.

5. A dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the releasable operator means comprises cooperable latch elements, one latch element being connected with the container and the other element comprising a latch plate adapted to be manually operated.

6. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) said latch plate has an opening through which the discharge line gpasses.

7. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) said operator means includes a pivotal connection between one end of the latch plate and the said one latch element,

(b) the other end portion of the latch plate having a camming tooth engage-able with said one latch element to maintain the elements in a given operative relation.

8. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) said connector comprises a bus-hing which is slidable in said one latch element and which receives the discharge line and the outer end of the valve stem,

(b) said latch plate abutting an end of said bushing to depress the same.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Collins 239-337 X Warr 222-529 X Fischer 251-95 Wendell et a1. 25195 Stow et a1.

Eller et al. 222-529 X Marks 251-7 Potoczky 222394 Harris, et al. 222394 Messmer 222394 Black 2517 Joffe 222-394 K-nibb 222529 X 20 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPOSABLE GAS-PRESSURE TYPE LIQUID AEROSOL DISPENSER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A DISPOSABLE PRESSURIZED CONTAINER HAVING, CARRIED IN ITS MOUTH, A HOLLOW AXIALLY MOVABLE AND DEPRESSIBLE VALVE STEM THROUGH WHICH THE AEROSOL SUBSTANCE IS DISCHARGED, SAID VALVE STEM HAVING AN OUTER, DISCHARGE END, (B) A FLEXIBLE, ELONGATE TUBULAR DISCHARGE LINE, (C) AN ATTACHABLE ADAPTER INCLUDING A PRESS-FIT CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHING ONE END OF SAID TUBULAR LINE TO THE DISCHARGE END OF THE VALVE STEM TO RECEIVE THE LIQUID AEROSOL SUBSTANCE THEREFROM, (D) SAID ADAPTER INCLUDING A MANUALLY OPERABLE AND RELEASABLE OPERATOR MEANS ACTING ON SAID CONNECTOR, FOR DEPRESSING SAID CONNECTOR AND CONSEQUENTLY SAID VALVE STEM AND FOR RELEASABLY MAINTAINING THE SAME DEPRESSED WITHOUT REQUIRING CONSTANT MANUAL FORCE, AND (E) A MANUALLY OPERABLE PRESSURE SHUT-OFF VALVE DEVICE ATTACHED TO THE OTHER END OF THE DISCHARGE LINE AND HAVING A DISCHARGE ORIFICE, BY WHICH AEROSOL SUBSTANCE IN THE DISCHARGE LINE UNDER PRESSURE MAY BE DISPENSED WHEN THE VALVE STEM OF THE CONTAINER IS MAINTAINED IN DEPRESSED POSITION. 